Electrical apparatus



APl 17', 1945. E, E. LlTTL .EFlE| D 2,373,6 97

ELEQTRICA'L APPARATUS Filed May 6. 1940 5g l 54 Q 5f .62

nvenar# Patented Apr.17,-194s vUNrriaD STATES APAT|'=;1\1T OFFICEnApplication May 6, 1940, Serial No. 333,696

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical valve apparatus. One of theobjects is to vprovide an improved flushing system while an additionalobject is the provision of an improved valve for use with the same orfor such other uses as may be found for it.

Besides reducing the heating effect to a minimum, the valve in questionpossesses numerous advantages including a simplified construction thatin operation is quick acting and does not permit leakage of iiuid'whenclosed. Moreover, the valve seats without an objectionable hammer blowand does not stick under ordinary use.

Certain modications will appear in the draw-` Numerous objects andadvantages of the improvements will become obvious upon consideration ofthe following description and the accompanying drawing.

Fig 1 shows an improved electrical control system with one form ofimproved valve incorporated therein, the latter being shown partly incross-sectional elevation.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modified form of valve element and piston which maybe utilized in the valve combination.

In Fig. 3 is shown, partlyin cross-sectional elevation, the upper partof a modified valve construction.

In the various views like numerals refer to like parts.

An arrow (Fig. 1) indicates direction of fluid flow.

Referring to Fig. l, a step-down transformer I, having primaryandsecondary windings 2 and 3, respectively, is connected with asuitable* source of current, such as an ordinary alternating currentservice main, by means of circuit 4, having switch elements 5 and 6therein and additional switch elements 'l and 8 which are normallyclosed, so that when element 6 is open and 5 closed, the load currentowing in circuit 4 sup'- plies heat for the coil 9 encircling themovable contact arm I0 of a temperature responsive device, causing theformer to move into contact with terminal I2, thus closing branchcircuit I3 on the secondary side of the transformer. By closing -theswitch 6 and opening 'I and 8 the temperature responsive device may bemade to respond to heat obtained from an extraneous source or to .thatobtained from the secondary side of the transformer.`

Obviously, the primary winding 2 of the transformer is connected forenergization by circuit 4.

On the secondary side of the transformer, and to secondary winding 3, isconnected secondary circuit I4, having branches I3, previously referredto, I5, .I6 and I1, the latter beingcontrolled by means of a relay I8,preferably of the Telecode type, which, in turn, is controlled by theelectrodes 2| and 22 together with the uid at times interposedtherebetween. In case it is desired to cut out relay I8, switch elementI9, which is normally open under the circumstances, may be closed.Instead of the means indicated, or as additionalmeans therefor, thevalve operating circuit may-be controlled by means of a push button 20,through branch circuit I6. Circuit interrupters 23 and 24, normallyclosed, provide means for opening theirrespective circuits whennecessary or desirable.

When switch 25 is closed, as well as interrupter 6, and 1 or 8, or both,are opened, circuit I5 may be employed to heat the coil 9 of thetemperature responsive device upon opening interrupter 23.

In this way heat may be applied from the low tension side of thetransformer, the voltage of which, at least for certain purposes, ispreferably 18 to 24 volts. A transformer supplying from 50 to 150 wattshas been found suitable for quite a number of purposes. The operation ofthe ushing system, as such, will be appreciated by reference to my priorUnitedv States Patent No.

1,709,083. The Telecode relay referred to is known by that name and is aproduct 'of the Benjamin Electric Mfg. Co. of Des Plaines, Ill., thesame being made in accordance with the disclosure in Patent 1,272,432,dated July 16, 1918.

Included in circuit I4 is a valve 26 which is also shown and describedin my Patent No. 1,862,937 and which has been found very satisfactoryywhen incorporated in the above combination. The casing 21 is providedwith a seat 28 and a bonnet 29 with a cylindrical extension 30 and anextension at the top in the form of a tubular member 3l, closed at thetop, .said parts being formed of brass or other non-magnetizablematerial., v

Arranged to co-operate with seat 28 is a piston valve 32 having atubular extension 33, formed integral with the former or threadedtherein, if desired, and having a seat 34 at its upper end, said partsbeing formed of non-magnetizable material of any suitable type. 'I'hetubular extension and piston provide a by-pass 35 within which anon-magnetizable valve stem 36 reciprocates and which is resilientlymounted at the lower end of the piston by means of the coiled the stemis threaded a magnetizable valve member 39. Resting on the upper end ofthe tubular.

extension 33 is a lever device 40 formedoi magnetizable material andhaving an adjustable head 4I threaded thereon. Valve 39 and lever arm 40are preferably made of stainless iron or its equivalent. A coil 42,having core m'ember 43, is adjustably mounted on the tubular extension3|, in position, when energized, to attract lever arm 40, when thepiston valve is in seated position. In this drawing, however, the valveis shown in open position.

If we assume that the valve is closed or in seated position and thatenergy is applied to the coil 42, the arm 40 will be attracted `to thecore 43 thus unseating the by-pass valve 39 and opening the by-pass 35permitting release of pressure from chamber 44 causing the piston valveto be unseated. Obviously, during the operation of the valve the leverarm 40 slides along the wall of the tubular extension 3l adjacent core43.

By modifying the construction of the piston valve 32 somewhatas inFig.2, the part forming the valve head 45 maybe adjustably threaded on tothe stem part 46, thus permitting regulation of the fluid now.

Fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a valve,A

shown partly cut away, similar to the type shown .in Fig. 1 of my Patent1,862,937, in which 54 is a tubular extension which may rest loosely onthe upper end of a fluid operated piston valve 55. Within this tubularmember is a tubular extension 56 of the piston valve 55 which extensionmay be formed integral therewith or as a separate piece threaded intothe piston valve. The piston itself, of course, supplies the remainderof the by-pass. At the upper end of 56 is a seat 51 for a pilot valve 58arranged to co-operate with a plug 59 resting on the upper end of 54,the latter, as well as 56, being formed of non-magnetizable material.Pilot valve 58 and plug 59 are preferably formed of stainless iron. Thevalve is shown in elevated position. A` coil 60 is adjustably mounted onthe extension 6I of the bonnet 62. An opening 63 in the side wall of 54provides communication with the by-pass through the piston. When themain valve lis closed the pilot valve 58 rests on its seat 51 while theplug 59 rests on the upper end of the tubular member 54, moving freelytherewith'. It Will be understood that the bonnet 62 together with theextension 6l are formed of brass or other nonmagnetizable material. Inthe seated position of the main valve the magnetizable parts 58 and 59will occupy positions within the coil 60 in such way that a maximummagnetizing effect may be applied thereto. However, upon operation ofthe valve, these magnetizable parts m'ove to a position designed todevelop such reactance in the coil that overheating is prevented.Preferably, the magnetizablc parts are moved, through the release ofiluid, to a position without the` energizing Winding, if the arrangementis such as to permit it. Much less energy is lrequired to hol'i thevalve open than is required toopen it. f This fact is Well known. Thistype of valve may, if desired, under certain conditions, be substitutedfor the one previously described. I have found it desirable, in certaininstances, to employ an auxiliary or pilot valve the weight of which isless than that of the valve it controls. It is also desirable undercertain conditions to have the auxiliary or pilot valve displace lessfluid than the controlled valve.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itwill be understood that I am not limited to the details thereof, but

cover all modifications that fall within the terms of the claims.

I claim:

1. A valve structure including a valve housing having a. chamber open toline pressure when communication through thc valve is interrupted; afluid operated valve responsive to'the pressure condition of saidchamber; an auxiliary valve controlling the fluid operated valve; anarmature for operating the auxiliary valve and a winding for energizingthe armature; the armature normally occupying a position insubstantially the densest portion of the field of the Winding and, upon`operation of the valve, assuming a position in a substantially lessdense portion of the iield.

2. A valve structure including a valve housing having a chamber open toline pressure when communication through the valve is interrupted; afluid operated valve responsive to the pressure condition of saidchamber; an auxiliary valve controlling the fluid operated valve; anarmature for operating the auxiliary valve; and a winding surroundingthe armature; the armature normally occupying a position insubstantially the densest portion of the eld of the winding and, uponoperation of the valve, being moved to a position in a substantiallyless dense portion of the eld by the fluid controlled by said valve.

3. A valve mechanism including a housing having a chamber open to linepressure when communication through the valve is interrupted, amagnetizing coil adjacent the chamber adapted to produce therein arelatively dense local magnetic eld and a less dense field adjacentthereto, a fluid operated motor movable in the chamber operating to openand close the valve as conditions in thc chamber vary, an auxiliaryvalve within the chamber mounted on and carried by the uid operatedmotor controlling the pressure within the chamber, and magnetic meansfor operating the auxiliary valve also within the chamber and likewisecarried by the fluid operated motor so -as to bebe moved into the densepart of the magnetic eld when the fluid operated motor has closed thevalve and into the less dense part of the field when the motor hasopened the valve.

4. A valve structure comprising a valve housing, a cylinder open to theline pressure when communication through the valve is interrupted, andan auxiliary nonmagnetic chamber communicating with the rst mentionedchamber, a magnetizing coil adjacent the auxiliary chamber and adaptedto produce therein a relatively dense local magnetic field and a lessdense eld adjacent the dense field, a piston movable in the cylinder foroperating the valve to open and close the same as pressure conditions inthe cylinder vary, an auxiliary valve within the cylinder mounted on andcarried by the piston controlling the pressure within thecylinder, andmagnetic means within the auxiliary nonmagnetic chamber for operatingthe auxiliary valve also mounted on and carried by the piston so as tobe moved into the dense magnetic eld when the piston has closed the mainvalve and into the lessdense part of the field when the'piston hasopened the main valve. f v

5. A valve structure comprising a housingpr'ovided with a cylinder whichis open'to linepressure when communication through the valve isinterrupted, and an auxiliary non'magnetic cylinder approximately inline with the first mentioned cylinder; a piston in said cylinder foroperating the valve in accordance with the pressure conditions in thecylinder; a magnetizing coil adjacent the auxiliarynonmagnetic cylinderfor producing `a relatively dense magnetic eld within theauxiliarycylinderand a less dense iield adjacent the dense field; a magnetizableauxiliary valve within' the cylinder mounted on and movable with thepiston for controlling the pressure in the cylinder;

and an elongated magnetizable armature of a diameter substantially lessthan the diameter of the auxiliary nonmagnetizable cylinder, mounted onandl carried by the piston, and projecting into the nonmagnetic cylinderand into the field of 'A the magnetizing coil adjacent the same, foroperating the magnetizable auxiliary valve, substantially as described.

6'. A valve structure comprising a housing proditions of said chamber,the .closure having a. bypass with a' valve seat at one end thereof; acontrolling auxiliary valve the weight of which is supported by saidseat; a tiltable armature controlling the auxiliary valve, the armaturebeing supported by the closure; and electrical means l without thechamber to inductively control said armature.

9. A valve structure including a casing having a pressure chamber with aseat arranged to support the weight cfa closure; a closure within saidchamber the weight of which is supported by said seat, said closurehaving a by-pass; an auxiliary valve; a tiltable armature controllingtheauxiliary valve, the armature being carried by the the closure; andelectrical means without said chamber adapted to inductively controltherarmature.

vided with a cylinder which is open to line pres- 4the dense field; amagnetizable auxiliary valve within the cylinder mounted on and movablewith the piston for controlling the pressure in the cylinder; and anelongated magnetlzable armature having a pointed end, the armature beingof a diameter substantially less than thev internal diameter of theauxiliary nonmagnetic cylinder,

resting on the magnetizable auxiliary valve, and tiltable within thecylinder under the inuence of themagnetizing coil, the actuate themagnetic auxiliary valve, and also mounted on. the piston so as to bemoved thereby into and out of the dense field of the magnetizing coil,substantially as described.

7. A valve mechanism including a housing having therein a pressurechamber; a tiltable armature within the chamber; an auxiliary valvecontrolled by said armature; a closure responsive to the pressureconditions in said chamber and controlled by the auxiliary valve, theauxiliary valve being supported by the closure; and electricalcontrolling means without the chamber adapted to inductively control thearmature.

8. A valve structure including a casing having a chamber open to linepressure when the valve is closed; a closure responsive to the pressureconoperation of the valve,

10. A valve structure including a valve housing l having a chamber opento line pressure when communication through the valve isinterrupted; afluid operated valve responsive to the pressure condition of saidchamber; an auxiliary valve controlling the iluid operated valve; anarmature for operating the auxiliary valve; and a winding surroundingthe armature; the armature normally occupying a position in the densestportion of the field of the winding and upon operation of the valveassuming a position in a substantially less dense portion-of the ileld.

11. A valve structure including a valve housing having a chamber opento' line pressure when communication through the valve is interrupted;a. fluid operated valve responsive tothe pressure condition ofthechamber; an auxiliary valve controlling ythe uid operated valve; anarmature for operating the auxiliary valve; and a winding surroundingthe armature; the armature normally occupying a position insubstantially the densest portion of the field of the winding and, uponbeing moved to a position in a substantially less dense portion oi.' theeld by the fluid controlled by said valve.

12. An electrically controlled valve combination including, a pressurechamber; an elongated auxiliary chamber in communication with thepressure chamber; a fluid operated valve responsive to the pressureconditions in the pressure chamber; a piston in the pressure chamber foroperating the valve; a controlling pilot valve, and tiltableelectrically controlled operating means therefor within said auxiliarychamber; vand electrical means operative to inductively control saidtiltable means from without said auxiliary cham-

